12 Years a Slave – The True History of Solomon Northup and His Mysterious Life After Slavery

The Story of Solomon Northup’s 12 Years a Slave

Solomon Northup was a free-born African-American from New York. He was the son of a freed slave.

Solomon Northrup

He owned property in Hebron, New York, and was a farmer and violinist.

In 1841 he was enticed with a job offer as a violinist and was subsequently drugged with belladonna, kidnapped and sold as a slave in Washington, DC for $650. DC was a major slave trading hub at the time.

Northup was shipped to New Orleans. He got smallpox on his trip and nearly died. For 12 years he worked hard labor on a plantation there – his family hearing no word of his whereabouts.

Northup wrote that the sounds of whipping were heard every day on the farm he was on from sundown until lights out.

Solomon Northup being whipped

After several attempts he was able to get a message to his family who contacted the Governor of New York.

In 1853 officials from New York were sent to rescue him. He regained his freedom and returned home.

He sued his slave masters and lost in civil court due to laws in Washington, DC prohibiting him as a black man from testifying against whites.

Was Solomon kidnapped again? Mystery surrounds his death.

There is no record of Solomon past 1857. It is believed he may have been kidnapped again in Canada. Northup was not recorded with his family in the 1860 United States Census. The location, and circumstances of his death are unknown. Rumours ran rife. In 1858, a local newspaper reported, “It is said that Solomon Northup, who was kidnapped, sold as a slave, and afterwards recovered and restored to freedom has been again decoyed South, and is again a slave. [Source: Wikipedia]

Northup’s memoir 12 Years a Slave was adapted and produced as a 2013 film directed and produced by Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northup. It is nominated for an Academy Award Oscar for Best Picture.